HPNLU convocation: Uphold values of justice & integrity, students told
Justice Surya Kant of the Supreme Court asked law students to uphold the values of justice, integrity and dedication in their professional endeavours. He was delivering a convocation address at the second convocation ceremony of Himachal Pradesh National Law University (HPNLU) in Shimla today.
As many as 451 students were conferred degrees across various academic programmes, including BA LLB, BBA LLB, LLM and PhD. A total of 327 graduates received their degrees in person, marking a significant milestone in their academic journeys. The Honoris Causa Degree of Doctor of Laws was conferred on Justice Sanjay Karol of the Supreme Court and Justice Rajiv Shakdher, former HPNLU Chancellor, for their exceptional contributions to the field of law and their invaluable role in the development of the HPNLU.
Justice Surya Kant, the chief guest for the occasion, emphasised the role of law in shaping society and encouraged the new graduates to contribute to a just and equitable world. “Readiness is not something one acquires in advance but rather emerges through action. It is through undertaking responsibilities and engaging in the practice of law that one truly becomes prepared,” said the chief guest. He also highlighted the challenges faced by newly-inducted advocates in the pursuit of justice, underscoring the importance of perseverance and dedication in navigating the complexities of the legal profession.
The ceremony was also graced by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, Justice MM Sundresh (Supreme Court); Justice R Mahadevan (Supreme Court), Justice Sanjay Karol (Supreme Court and former Chancellor of HPNLU). Chief Justice of HP High Court Gurmeet Singh Sandhawalia conferred the degrees upon the students. Justice Rajeev Shakdher (former Chancellor of HPNLU) and other dignitaries were also present on the occasion.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister stressed that hard work and honesty were fundamental to achieving success in life. He spoke about the empowering role of law, stating that the study of law instils self-confidence in individuals. The Chief Minister also noted that the economy of the state is on an upward trajectory, citing significant improvements in various sectors.
The Vice Chancellor, Prof (Dr) Priti Saxena, presented a comprehensive report on the significant achievements and developments within the university. Several outstanding students were recognised for academic excellence. The Founder Vice Chancellor’s Gold Medal for the overall topper in the PG Programme was awarded to Surya Dev Singh Bhandari (2021), Tissy Annie Thomas (2022) and Nivedita Sharma (2023). Sheenam Thakur from the 2018-batch received multiple accolades, including the KK Luthra Memorial Gold Medal in Criminal Law.
